at substantial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at substantial" is not correct and does not stand alone in written English.
It may be part of a larger phrase, such as "at substantial risk" or "at substantial cost," where it describes a significant degree of something. Example: "The project was halted due to concerns at substantial risk of failure."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The threshold has instead been set at "substantial" needs.

The Guardian

Desperate organizers found a new location but at substantial cost.

The New York Times

A wave of reverse splits at substantial companies, for either reason, could be a bullish sign.

The New York Times

The roof could be rented at substantial profit for artistic purposes.

The New York Times

"We try to buy businesses at substantial discounts to the underlying business value," he added.

The New York Times

The result was a profitable season last year and a chipping away at substantial debt.

The New York Times

They called it an "ineffective test" operating at "substantial and material cost".

The Guardian

City services like traffic direction and park and street maintenance were offered at substantial savings.

The New York Times - Books

Expect the brands' coveted leather jackets, silk blouses and minimalist suits at substantial discounts.

The New York Times

The purchase, of about 50 jetliners, some at substantial discounts, was one of the biggest in aviation history.

The New York Times

If most authorities already operate at substantial (only 19 local authorities have lower thresholds), will it make any discernible impact?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "at substantial" in conjunction with a noun to create a complete phrase, such as "at substantial risk", "at substantial cost", or "at substantial savings".

Common error

Avoid using "at substantial" as a standalone phrase. This prepositional phrase requires a noun or noun phrase to modify, providing context and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at substantial" functions as a prepositional modifier, typically requiring a noun or noun phrase to complete its meaning. As noted by Ludwig AI, it does not stand alone grammatically. It is frequently used to describe the degree or extent of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at substantial" appears frequently across various sources, including news, media, and scientific publications, it's crucial to recognize that it is grammatically incomplete on its own. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it always requires a noun or noun phrase to modify. For example, "at substantial risk", "at substantial cost", or "at substantial savings". To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, avoid using "at substantial" as a standalone phrase. Instead, consider more complete alternatives such as "at a considerable level" or "at a significant amount".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a considerable level

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable level", providing a grammatically complete phrase to indicate a significant degree.

at a significant amount

Uses "significant amount" instead of "substantial", creating a clearer and grammatically sound expression.

at a high degree

Expresses a large extent or intensity using "high degree", offering a more descriptive alternative.

at considerable expense

Specifies a type of substantiality (expense) to create a complete phrase, implying significant cost.

at a noteworthy scale

Replaces "substantial" with "noteworthy scale", emphasizing the size or importance of something.

at a major level

Expresses the importance and magnitude of something using an alternate adjective.

at a considerable rate

Replaces "substantial" with "considerable rate", providing context of frequency or degree.

at a sizable quantity

Indicates a large quantity using "sizable quantity" instead of just "substantial".

with significant impact

Shifts the focus to the impact or effect, replacing "substantial" with "significant impact".

at a tangible difference

Highlights the perceptible or measurable aspect, suggesting a clear and noticeable change.

FAQs

How can I use the term "at substantial" correctly in a sentence?

Always pair "at substantial" with a noun to create a complete, meaningful phrase. For instance, use phrases like "at substantial risk", "at substantial cost", or "at substantial savings".

What are some alternatives to using "at substantial" to describe something significant?

Consider using phrases like "at a considerable level", "at a significant amount", or "at a high degree" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say just "at substantial"?

No, "at substantial" is not grammatically correct on its own. It needs to be followed by a noun or noun phrase to form a complete prepositional phrase.

What is the difference between saying "at substantial cost" and "at considerable cost"?

Both "at substantial cost" and "at considerable cost" are very similar in meaning, indicating a significant financial expense. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference, as they are largely interchangeable.